All Questions
17
votes
5answers
776 views
Does Jesus ever claim to be God, or the son of God?
While I understand there are many potential passages in the Bible of Jesus claiming to be a messiah (which I understand to mean "anointed"), a king, or one through whom it is necessary to know God, ...
10
votes
1answer
166 views
Why does Calvinism need the doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints if it believes in Unconditional Election?
As I understand it, Unconditional Election means that God has already chosen who will be saved.
Unconditional election is God's choice to save people regardless of their sin or any condition.
...
5
votes
1answer
574 views
Are there Protestants in Italy today?
Are there Protestants in Italy today and what became of the Protestants reformers from the peninsula during the reformation? The reason I ask is that I've never heard of any particular persecution ...
10
votes
2answers
2k views
How many Bibles--not translations--are there?
I've noticed recently on this site there is a push to enforce the rule that, in one's questions, one ought to state "which Bible" one is interested in learning about--whether that is the "Catholic ...
4
votes
1answer
773 views
According to the Bible, who is Satan? Where did he come from? What is he? And what will happen to him?
This is a pretty important question that doesn't appear to have been asked yet on this site.
So, the fundamental questions are 1) Who is he? 2) Where did he come from? and 3) Where is he going or ...
4
votes
1answer
70 views
“Those excluded from the Congregation”
Deuteronomy 23:1-8 lists some people that are forbidden to "enter the assembly of the LORD".
Deuteronomy 23:1-8 (NKJ)
Those Excluded from the Congregation
1 “He who is emasculated by ...
6
votes
2answers
127 views
Was it Adino or his army that killed eight hundred at one time?
2 Samuel 23:8 KJV
These be the names of the mighty men whom David had:
The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the
same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear ...
7
votes
2answers
134 views
What is the relationship between the Catholic churches of various countries?
I currently live in Mexico, where the Catholic church is quite different than the Catholic church I'm accustomed to in the U.S. This is most obvious to me by the hostility often shown by Catholics ...
4
votes
0answers
40 views
When to attribute things in this world to things not of this world [closed]
Some Christians take every situation and claim "God did this" or "the holy spirit is moving in this place" when something good happens, and "Satan did this" or "this place has evil spirits" when ...
6
votes
1answer
114 views
Honor and solidarity
Ideally, one would both be able to be honorable (i.e. to do the right thing especially with regard to others) and be in solidarity with relatives and friends (i.e. to support them, especially when ...
14
votes
5answers
750 views
Praying for someone's salvation. Is there a point?
According to I Timothy 2:4 (NIV), God "...wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth".
But since we have free will, God cannot make us choose to accept the salvation that is ...
2
votes
0answers
227 views
According to Reformed Christianity, what is the meaning of “grace” (χάρις)? [closed]
According to Reformed Christianity, what is "grace" (χάρις)?
15
votes
3answers
275 views
What significance, if any, does the doctrine of the eternal virginity of Mary have?
I understand that the Catholic Church (and perhaps the Orthodox church as well) teaches that Mary is "the eternal virgin" Mary.
If this were an important doctrine, it seems there would be fairly ...
1
vote
3answers
125 views
All this is yours, but this one is mine
I have a vague notion of a quote that says something about offering everything freely, but reserving some small part as absolutely off-limits.
I seem to recall the phrasing was short and sweet. I ...
8
votes
2answers
181 views
Before anything was created, did God already know the events that would unfold?
Before anything in our world was created, God was already there. Also, there is biblical evidence for omniscience.
However, did God, prior to the creation of everything, already know the events that ...
5
votes
1answer
235 views
What is the archaeological evidence in support of the Book of Mormon?
I have read several books that identify archaeological evidence in support of hundreds and hundreds of biblical places, cultures, and historical events. What is the archaeological evidence for the ...
18
votes
3answers
456 views
What is the Roman Catholic view on Matthew 23:9?
In Matthew 23:9, Jesus says:
Matthew 23:9 (NIV)
And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.
What is the Roman Catholic view on this? In the Roman ...
7
votes
1answer
721 views
What does it mean to pray in Jesus' Name?
A few times in the book of John, Jesus instructs us to pray "in His Name". What does this mean? How do we know if we are praying in His name? How would we not be praying in His name?
I don't ...
18
votes
2answers
916 views
Why is Jesus named the Prince of Peace instead of the King of Peace?
In Isaiah 9:6, the child to be born will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government
shall ...
7
votes
1answer
468 views
Where did viruses come from, according to Young Earth Creationists?
Viruses are quite nasty germs. Whereas bacteria serve many useful purposes and we need them, I wonder what the purpose of viruses in God's creation could be. Does Young Earth Creationism address what ...
4
votes
2answers
90 views
Any dangers for the usage of sacramentals that are not-yet-blessed-by-a-priest?
I just bought a new Rosary, and I haven't asked our priest in the locality to bless it.
Is there any danger when I pray the Rosary (or use of any "not-yet-blessed" sacramental for this matter) using ...
6
votes
8answers
601 views
Can I just sin my whole life and in the end receive forgiveness and go to heaven?
And sit with Him on His throne?
To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Rev 3:21 ...
5
votes
4answers
253 views
Theology question: why hasn't God stopped Satan and his demons?
I'm just trying to find some theological or philosophical discussion of why God hasn't stopped Satan and his demons. Why not imprison them? Why not take away their free will? Why not annihilate them? ...
8
votes
1answer
149 views
How is spiritual progress described in eastern monastic traditions?
Catholic church has a long monastic history, and there are excellent exponents of spiritual progress whose concepts are used even today. Take Theresa of Avila's "interior castle" or Juan de la Cruz' ...
12
votes
7answers
448 views
Is there a significant difference between salvation by faith with works and salvation by faith and works?
I used to think that sola fide meant salvation by faith irrespective of works. Then I started reading about it and realized it means salvation by faith with works.
Works are necessary for ...
6
votes
1answer
102 views
Do any Christian traditions claim to be antinomian?
According to this Wikipedia article on antinomianism, some Christian traditions have been charged with antinomianism, but are there any that actually claim to be antinomian?
Definition:
...
2
votes
2answers
81 views
What is the significance of the message “every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” in 2 Corinthians 13:1?
In 2 Corinthians, Paul mentioned that it was the third time he was going to visit the people there, and he added that "As the scriptures say, the facts of every case must be established by the ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
Is the “belly of a whore” phrase from the Bible?
Several times, I have heard a phrase along the lines of "It is better to plant thy seed in the belly of a whore than to be cast upon the ground."
Is there a biblical reference for this phrase? I ...
6
votes
1answer
118 views
Who do Catholics say the Mary in Matthew 27:56 is?
Roman Catholics believe that Mary the mother of Jesus remained a virgin for her whole life. Mary the mother of Jesus is sometimes seen in the gospels with men referred to as Jesus' brothers, with ...
14
votes
5answers
774 views
What is the Biblical evidence against the perpetual virginity of Mary?
I understand that the Roman Catholic Church teaches that Mary is the eternal virgin in that she never had sexual relations with Joseph (or any other man)--either before or after the miraculous ...
9
votes
2answers
363 views
What is the biblical basis for the Immaculate Conception?
According to Catholic Doctrine, the Immaculate Conception refers to the teaching that Mary's own conception (not that of Jesus) was without the stain of original sin.
What is the biblical basis for ...
13
votes
1answer
188 views
On what do Catholics base their doctrine of the eternal virginity of Mary?
I understand that the Catholic Church teaches that Mary is the eternal virgin in that she neither had sexual relations with Joseph (or any other man) either before or after the miraculous conception ...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
What is “apostolic authority”?
Some Christian traditions use the term "apostolic authority". What is meant by this phrase? Does it have more than one meaning depending on which doctrinal tradition it is coming from? Are there any ...
4
votes
2answers
121 views
What doctrines are based on 1st Timothy 4:14 when hands are laid on a believer?
In 1st Timothy 4:14 (Recovery Version) some elders laid hands on Timothy:
Do not neglect the gift which is in you, which was given to you by means of prophecy with the laying on of hands of the ...
3
votes
1answer
178 views
Can these three “2nd greatest commandments” be put into one sentence?
I was playing my homemade Catholic Jeopardy with the Faith Formation class last night and I asked. "What is the 2nd greatest commandment". The kids were all like, "umm obey your parents", "Don't ...
-2
votes
2answers
191 views
Is Cyrus the Messiah?
What are the actual words used for Isaiah 44:28 to describe his anointed? Why do most Bible translation translate that as shepherd? I've heard the Masoretic Text uses "messiah" and the Septuagint uses ...
9
votes
2answers
279 views
Does the Protestant Bible mention Satan punishing non-believers after death?
I have always heard people say that when you die and haven't accepted Christ and go to hell, that you're going to be punished by Satan, and we have this great plethora of contemporary culture showing ...
6
votes
1answer
269 views
What is the modern Evangelical view on tithing?
Do modern Evangelical (by which I mean, taking the Bible as the ultimate earthly source of authority) Christians believe giving 10% of your income is a law for Christians?
Note: this question is ...
7
votes
2answers
230 views
What is the biblical basis for and against the “filioque”?
In order to contextualize the question I add the following quote from the wikipedia article concerning Filioque clause:
Filioque, Latin for "and (from) the Son", is a phrase found in the
form of ...
8
votes
4answers
354 views
Was tithing 10% required or encouraged by the early church?
I cannot find in the New Testament an obligation on Christians to tithe 10% of their income. Instead I read that it is up the individual to decide:
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV1984)
Each man should ...
3
votes
1answer
342 views
Are there any Christian doctrines that cover lucid dreaming?
Do any Christian traditions have doctrines that cover the issue of lucid dreaming? In particular, do any of these cover whether we control our minds at all times or if God can/does sometimes control ...
2
votes
4answers
704 views
Was the wine in The Last Supper fermented?
I was reading "Does wine really mean wine in the Bible?" and I thought, The Last Supper was during the Passover, where the jewish was forbidden to use ferment in recipes:
Exodus 12:15 KJV
Seven ...
12
votes
2answers
255 views
What is the significance of the three distinct aspects of the temptation of Eve in the garden?
Genesis 3 indicates that there were three distinct aspects of the temptation of Eve:
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was
a delight to the eyes, and that the ...
11
votes
2answers
328 views
What does Jesus mean with “this generation” and “all these things” in Mark 13:30
In Mark 13, Jesus tells about the last days and the tribulation. In this context, he says in verse 30 (KJV):
Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be ...
10
votes
3answers
268 views
Did Jonah fail the test of a prophet?
I came across an article on the FAIR Mormon wiki that discusses the prophetic test (Deut. 18). It applies the test on some Biblical prophets, and shows how someone could claim these prophets fail the ...
14
votes
1answer
270 views
Why is Jesus' genealogy traced through Joseph?
Why is Jesus' genealogy in Matthew and Luke traced back to David through Joseph if Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit?
6
votes
1answer
236 views
Which doctrines are Catholics required to accept?
I only recently figured out that some Catholic doctrines are required for a Catholic to accept, while the denial of others doesn't prevent being a Catholic.
Examples of both cases:
Mark Trapp, in ...
8
votes
5answers
1k views
What does the Bible say about Modesty? [closed]
I am curious if modesty is defined in the Bible. If not, is modesty subjective to the culture? For example in Africa some tribes have their women go around topless, but for them to wear shorty-shorts ...
9
votes
1answer
83 views
What is the purpose of baptism for sola fide adherents?
Sola fide says that works play no part in our salvation. For sola fide adherents, what is the purpose of baptism? Is baptism necessary?
13
votes
1answer
694 views
How can I tell the difference between the Moral law and other laws in the old testament?
Many Christians believe that there are three kinds of law in the Old Testament:
The moral law that declares how man should live.
The civil law that was the legal structures for the ancient nation of ...
